Move Kits Firm Out for Growth on Moorgreen

NG CHARTERED Surveyors has secured new premises on Moorgreen Industrial Estate for a growing outdoor equipment and clothing firm set up by four old school friends

The new 8,000 sq ft lease for Alpkit doubles the size of its business premises in keeping with its substantial growth plans over the next five years.

The business is run by Nick Smith, Jim Evans, Colin Stocker and Kenny Stocker, who pooled their resources to start the company in 2004.

The relocation from Ilkeston is a strategic move to expand the firm’s capacity for internet sales and launch its plans to make products in the UK. Its move into 8,000 sq ft premises takes the occupancy of the estate secured by NG to 96 per cent.

Richard Sutton, of NG, said: “Moorgreen Industrial Estate is proving extremely popular because it gives burgeoning businesses the flexibility to trade up or down in terms of their space requirements as their needs dictate.

“Alpkit moving on to the industrial park is a boost to local employment, which is crucial for the local economy.”

Colin Stocker, of Alpkit, said: “Through the new lease, we have doubled the size of our business premises, which will really help with growth over the next five years.

“Richard from NG did an excellent job finding this location. The brief we gave him was challenging but he understood what we were after and found us a great location which will be our platform for growth.

“Alpkit sells a range of specialist outdoor equipment from pegs and sleeping bags, to tents and down jackets, aimed at a diverse range of end user.

“At the beginning, our focus was primarily on sourcing products from China but this move will allow us to begin to make the transition into producing a significant proportion of our products ourselves in the UK.

“Through extensive research and a robust direct retailing business model, we are confident we can create and retail the same high-quality products that we have been importing for the last seven years right here in our own factory.

“UK manufacturing won’t just support the local economy but it also helps with our company’s distribution efficiency meaning we can make what is selling.”

Mr Stocker added: “The move to Moorgreen Estate will help us to achieve our manufacturing plans. We need to invest in the machinery and will be launching the production line shortly. Only a few outdoor sector companies do this in the UK, so there are real growth opportunities in the future.

“At the moment we employ nine people at the firm in our customer service, product development, warehouse and buying departments. But as we grow and more orders come in, we will be looking for more staff.”